New Zealand Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia

Chance to study in New Zealand proves popular with Indonesians

NZAID promotes scholarships in Lombok

The opportunity to study for post-graduate courses in New Zealand has
attracted a huge number of Indonesians to apply for the New Zealand
Development Scholarships (NZDS) 2011 intake, said Kirk Yates, NZAID
manager in Jakarta.

Final interviews for the 11 awards of the NZDS-Public category took place
from 24th to 28th May 2010 at the New Zealand Embassy.

"More than 300 Indonesians applied which is a substantial increase on
previous years, and the standard of candidates was very high," said Yates.

"Those shortlisted interviewed very well, making the decision-making
process tough."

The NZDS scheme offers the opportunity to people from selected developing
countries to undertake development-related studies in New Zealand. This
includes study related to education, health, rural livelihoods, governance,
human rights, or economic development, depending on the human resource
development training needs of the Indonesian government.

The scholarships are offered for full-time post-graduate level study at New
Zealand education institutions every year. The scheme has two categories.
One is the NZDS public category where applicants are mostly from the public
sector, and the other is an open category where applicants are employed in NGOs,
the private sector, or civil society.

Mandy Whyte, an independent consultant on the interview panel (and a former
NZAID manager in Jakarta) agrees that applicants were high calibre.

"It was gratifying to see a large number of candidates from Papua, and East and West Nusa Tenggara this year and also candidates that had done their homework in terms of
what they might expect living and studying in New Zealand."

New Zealand attracts a high standard of applicants because it provides
for a student's spouse and dependent children to accompany them, said Whyte.

"NZAID recognises the importance of family support and the value to the
whole family of having a New Zealand experience."

NZAID hopes to increase the total number of placements available up 20 next year
for the 2012 intake. Successful applicants for 2011 will be announced in
mid-June.